Review: The Captain and the Wallflower

The Captain and the Wallflower by Lyn Stone

Battle-scarred Caine must marry in order to inherit, or his family fortune goes to his gambling cousin. He wants to find a wife who isn't pretty and would be desperate to marry; that way she will be so happy to just live in the matrimonial state that she wont care if he's not around much. Grace has been living in fear of her uncle. She is underfed and looks quite sickly. When Caine proposes, Grace accepts. Soon she's healthier than ever and she also isn't a shy, retiring waif. Someone also keeps trying to kill her. And it looks like Caine and Grace are falling in love.  

I liked bits of this. On their own, and together in some parts (especially their first ride together) it was very sweet.

But, there were so many red herrings and shenanigans that kept getting more & more convoluted. Then there had to be relationship drama, of course, and people getting wounded right and left.

I started off liking it, but by the end I was more than a bit over it.

Review: God Save the Queen

God Save the Queen by Kate Locke

This review was really hard to write, because minus one character, I would have really liked this book.

It's all Vex's fault.

I liked many parts of this. The world is cool, and the big secret was fun. Good setup there for future books.

Xandra is a half-blood living in a world where a virus created vampires and werewolves way back when. Queen Victoria is still on the throne, humans barely tolerate the reigning "monsters", and everyone is scared of the Goblins. In investigating her sisters "death," Xandra uncovers secrets, conspiracies, and betrayals. There is some action and I thought the world was pretty cool. It's a book where you are just thrown into things (and you know I like that).

However, I'm not feeling the love interest. It was way too easy. The timing didn't make sense unless there was an ulterior motive, but this was glanced over. Which blows, because I do really like that there wasn't a triangle and there was no angst. But that made it all a bit, well, boring. I think I would have felt better about it had Xandra & Vex met before all of this went down. Or if Vex was a little less perfect. Or if he was being at least a touch sneaky about his sudden interest in her. Something other than Mr. Perfect. Because he is perfect. And she isn't (and I like imperfect characters).

Sealed With a Curse Winner

Hope the holidays treated you all right! I got books (to the surprise of no one) and 2 new gorgeous, huge bookcases.

Today is the release day of Sealed With a Curse by Cecy Robson, book 1 of her Weird Girls series. Amazon | B&N | Kobo

This book made my action-junkie self happy, and has some romance too. You can get my full take on it here. You can learn about the prequel novella, The Weird Girls, here.

The winner of the Sealed With a Curse ARC courtesy of the wonderful Cecy is...

 

Maria!

Congrats, thank you to Cecy, and thanks to all of you for entering.

"Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls-with one tiny exception: they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, weird...
The Wird sisters are content to avoid the local vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region-until one of them blows up a vampire in self- defense. Everyone knows vampires aren't aggressive, and killing one is punishable by death. But soon more bloodlust- fueled attacks occur, and the community wonders: are the vampires of Tahoe cursed with a plague?

Celia reluctantly agrees to help Misha, the handsome leader of an infected vampire family. But Aric, the head of the werewolf pack determined to destroy Misha's family to keep the region safe, warns Celia to stay out of the fight. Caught between two hot alphas, Celia must find a way to please everyone, save everyone, and oh yeah, not lose her heart to the wrong guy-or die a miserable death. Because now that the evil behind the plague knows who Celia is, it's coming for her and her sisters. This Wird girl has never had it so tough."

More links for Cecy Robson:

Website: www.cecyrobson.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cecyrobson
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomCecyRobsonAuthor

Ebook Deals

Today I was at Stellar Four with some eBook deals. Howls Moving Castle for $1.99, Tarnished for 99 cents, most of the books in the Elemental Assassins series are on sale too. If you know of any deals, please leave a comment either at Stellar Four or here.

Weird Girls Tour Stop: Sealed With a Curse

Hi all! The very wonderful, charming, and funny Cecy Robson is back on the Book Pile! She stopped by in October to talk about The Weird Girls novella. It's out now, so if you like action-packed shorts go get it! Amazon | B&N

This time, we're talking about book 1, Sealed With a Curse. There's also a giveaway!

First, though, Cecy answered some holiday-inspired questions:

KA: What is one way you get in the holiday spirit?

CR: Shopping for my children. Their excitement fires up mine.

KA: Name something on your wishlist.

CR: I’m not going to lie . . . I’d love to hit the NY Times Best-Seller’s list with my series. A new pair of sneakers would also be nice. : D

KA: What was your favorite book/movie/TV show in 2012?

CR: The Avengers—hands down. Book? Catching Fire, but I’ll admit I had several that I just loved. I don’t watch much TV but I’ve really enjoyed Teen Wolf and Grimm.

KA: What book/movie/tv show are you looking forward to in 2013?

CR: I, Frankenstein sounds / looks cool. Books? A CURSED EMBRACE and THE BETTER TO SEE YOU. TV? I’m waiting for Teen Wolf to come back. I have to say, it’s a very well-written and fun show.

 

Thanks, Cecy! Now to the book in question:

 

I do love this cover.

The blurbage: "Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls-with one tiny exception: they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, weird...

The Wird sisters are content to avoid the local vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region-until one of them blows up a vampire in self- defense. Everyone knows vampires aren't aggressive, and killing one is punishable by death. But soon more bloodlust- fueled attacks occur, and the community wonders: are the vampires of Tahoe cursed with a plague?

Celia reluctantly agrees to help Misha, the handsome leader of an infected vampire family. But Aric, the head of the werewolf pack determined to destroy Misha's family to keep the region safe, warns Celia to stay out of the fight. Caught between two hot alphas, Celia must find a way to please everyone, save everyone, and oh yeah, not lose her heart to the wrong guy-or die a miserable death. Because now that the evil behind the plague knows who Celia is, it's coming for her and her sisters. This Wird girl has never had it so tough."

 

My Take: I love the set-up of this series, the origin of the sisters powers, and the relationships between the sisters. I mentioned in my review of the novella that it is not often that you get a fantasy book that has strong relationships between female characters. I like the dynamic.

 

Where the novella was romance free, this one has quite a bit. There is tons of action, of course, but also a good amount of romance, especially as the sisters get introduced to the local werewolf pack.

 

Celia is an interesting character. She is very strong - her inner tigress intimidates pretty much everyone. However, this also makes her isolated and lonely. It almost got too much for me at a couple of points where I wanted Celia to buck up and be more confident romance-wise, but at the same time it was believable why she was so unsure.

 

It seems like there might be a triangle, but no my triangle-weary friends, do not fear.

 

A snowy sunrise in Tahoe.

I like seeing the various supernatural creatures who are now in the Wird Girls world. I also really dug the setting - I've been to Lake Tahoe and can believe the mystical pull.

 

There is a lot of setting the stage here, of course, but also an action-packed story. Looking forward to more Weird Girl, especially as the girls grow in their place in the supernatural community.

 

Sealed With a Curse is out December 31. Amazon | B&N

 

Now to the Giveaway!!! Leave a comment here or tweet me @kindleaholic with a book you hope to get this Christmas, or your favorite christmas tradition, or just to say "Hi!". The holidays are stressful enough, let's make this easy. :) And while you're at it, follow Cecy on twitter too.

 

You have until Friday, December 21. This giveaway is international folks!!! So everybody can try!

 

Thank you so much, Cecy!

 

More links for Cecy Robson:

Website: www.cecyrobson.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cecyrobson

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomCecyRobsonAuthor

 

[received an ARC to review]



Review: Steel's Edge

Steel's Edge (Edge #4) by Ilona Andrews

The Edge series ends with another exciting installment. We've travelled the Edge world - from the Edge to the Broken, back to the Edge and now into the Weird. We've also had very different heroes and heroines in each story - something I have come to appreciate in romance series.

This go-round we have Charlotte and Richard, both trained from an early age in the mannerisms of the blueblood Weird elite. Charlotte is The Healer, very powerful and living in the Edge with Rose's grandmother because she is afraid of using the darker side of her ability. I love stories that focus on the destructive possibilities of a healing power. We first met Richard in Bayou Moon. Cerise's cousin, Kaldar's brother, and a father-figure to Lark/Sophie, Richard hunts slavers, the people who nearly destroyed Sophie when she was very young.

Richard and Charlotte team up to go after the head of the slavery ring, falling in love along the way. They are very evenly matched and fit well together. This isn't an angsty romance. It is more their mission than any insecurity that gets in their way. I liked that a lot.

Lots of action, some heartbreak for fans of the series, and lots of George, Jack and Sophie. We also get more of Spider and get to see what happened to some family members from previous books. The bits where Charlotte takes Sophie under her wing were really well done. Bayou Moon is still my fav book of the Edge, but as a whole I have really enjoyed this romance series.

I thought Steel's Edge was a good end to the series, although I hope some day the Andrews team will come back with the future adventures of an all growed up George, Jack and Sophie.

Review: Skies of Fire

Skies of Fire (The Ether Chronicles #1) by Zoe Archer

Christopher is the captain of an airship. He is also a Man O' War - fused with a metallic substance that gives him extra strength and energy (he's pretty much the battery for his ship, and he needs the ship in order to siphon off said "energy" - symbiotic relationship). He and his crew are behind enemy lines when they get a distress call from a nearby village. They find Louisa, an intelligence agent, who also used to be Christopher's lover. She has info on a munitions plant that needs to be destroyed to help turn the balance in the war.

And, of course, smexy good fun as they get reacquainted. It doesn't happen right away, of course. Christopher is still very angry she left (and how she left), and Louisa is working through her feelings as well.

This was a very quick, fun read. There isn't a ton of world explanation. I got a feel for the time and place, but there weren't any big history lessons. I kind of wanted some of that, as I find that aspect of world-building very interesting.

I did like Christopher and Louisa together. Given that Louisa left, it is easy to paint her in the villain role of the break-up, but I mostly just felt sorry for her. I thought that the pace of their reunion felt right. Not too rushed or drawn out.

There was a decent amount of action. Louisa more than holds her own, and I liked that Christopher respected it. He is alpha-ish, but doesn't try to put her in a cage.

I'll be checking out more in this series.

What's in a Name? A Transplanted Tales Contest

Kate SeRine is working on the third book in her Transplanted Tales series. Rumpelstiltskin is making an appearance, and he needs a name. The fun part - YOU can name him, as well as win some goodies!

Using the Rafflecopter widget below or on Kate's site, put in your suggestion. It can be as normal or fanciful as you like. And, to help you avoid "wasting" a suggestion, here's the list of male characters already appearing in ALONG CAME A SPIDER:

Nicky        Seth           Nate          Al(addin)
Aloysius   Gideon       Orvall       Merv
Irwin         Jack           Pete          Vlad
Alex         Ian              J.G.          Eddie
Tim          Ethan


From the entries, three names will be randomly selected. From those three, Kate will select the winner. The winning name will appear in ALONG CAME A SPIDER, the third book in the Transplanted Tales series, which is scheduled for release in August 2013.

In addition, the person who suggested the winning name will receive a prize package that includes the following:

1) A special mention in the acknowledgements of ALONG CAME A SPIDER
2) an e-book copy of RED, THE BETTER TO SEE YOU, and ALONG CAME A SPIDER as the books are released (or a prize of comparable value if the winner already owns/has pre-ordered a copy of the first two books)
3) a Transplanted Tales-themed goody basket

The runners-up will receive a copy of the Transplanted Tales book of his/her choice and some Transplanted Tales swag! Kate has hinted there might be some additional prezzies along the way...

Get those creative juices flowing and enter today!

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'Tis the Season...for a Full Blooded Giveaway!

Amanda Carlson, along with the #JessicaMcClainStreetTeam (of which I am a member), are hosting a HUGE giveaway.

10 Lucky Winners will receive a Signed Copy of FULL BLOODED, as well as Limited Edition Pack Swag, including a Coffee Mug, bookmark & stickers. The best thing about this giveaway (other than it’s INTERNATIONAL)?  Amanda will be sending them out in time for the holidays! Already have a copy of FULL BLOODED? She'll throw in a signed bookplate and you can gift your book to someone you love. (Amanda will even address it to their name.)

There are so many ways to enter, and you can enter DAILY. Fill out the rafflecopter below OR on Amanda's web site OR you can also enter at any of the other #JessicaMcClainStreetTeam sites.


a Rafflecopter giveaway




#JessicaMcClainStreetTeam

Rabid Reads 

Under the Covers 

Vampire Book Club 

My World…in words and pages 
The Bookaholic Cat 

The Book Nympho 

My Keeper Shelf 

Between Dreams and Reality 

Readers Confession 

Smitten with Bad Boy Heroes 

My Bookish Ways 

The Qwillery 

Miss Vain’s Paranormal Fantasy  

Smash Attack Reads 

Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks 
Urban Fantasy Investigations